Honestly

Chapter 2

The next morning found Hermione, cranky as ever, sitting at the Staff table, toying with her breakfast of ham and eggs. The seat next to her was empty and would be until Oliver Wood's arrival on Tuesday. Though it was Saturday, there was no Quidditch match today, on account of half of the teams were injured from their Advanced Flying classes. Karleen had found her last night in her study, as she was finishing letters to Ron and Harry.

"Hermione, I've just been sacked. Dumbledore said I just wasn't the right person for the job. Now I'm out of a job, and I've only got a few Galleons to me name," Karleen, an old friend, rushed in, all in a fluster.

"Calm down, you'll give yourself a boil if you keep fluttering all around like that. Sit down, have some tea," Hermione used her full body weight to push her friend into an armchair and handed her a cup of tea, "Now, you should get a carriage into Hogsmeade. I've give you a few Galleons to stay at the Hog's Head tonight, and tomorrow you should fly into London and look for a job in Diagon Alley. I think that Madam Malkin's might be looking for someone to hire."

"Yes yes, I want to go now. I feel unwelcome in this castle now that I've been removed from me position," Karleen stood stiffly, hurt displayed across her face, and set her teacup on the side table. She briefly hugged Hermione, who gave her some Galleons, and left.

Hermione sighed and finished her breakfast. She felt almost two-faced, being so concerned for Karleen's welfare even though it was her fault she was out of a job. She stood up, and headed to the hospital wing. For once, it was empty, and she still had those letters to Ron and Harry to finish from last night. Just as she sat at her desk, she noticed a lone carriage was rolling up the hill, kicking up a large cloud of dust.

'Well well, Mr. Wood has arrived early" She thought, settling down to finish her letters.

Half an hour later, Dumbledore's voice could be heard drifting down the hallway.

"And here is the Transfiguration rooms. And here is the Defense Against the Dark Arts rooms. And oh yes, the Hospital Wing," He gave a short knock and strode in.

"Hermione, this is.." Dumbledore began.

"Oliver Wood, I know," Hermione replied, standing to shake his hand.

"Ermm do I know you?" Oliver asked, his head tilted to one side. He had grown his hair longer, to a shaggy length.

"Well you did once, but the question, is do you remember me?" Hermione said with a smile, "I'm Hermione. Hermione Granger."

Oliver's face was blank for a moment, then realization dawned on him. "Oh you're Potter's friend. Blimey, you've changed."

"I'll take that as a compliment," Hermione said, returning to her desk and sitting down.

"Well Oliver I suppose we should move on to the rest of the castle." Dumbledore turned and left the Wing.

"Hermione?" Oliver asked quietly. "What I meant was, you look smashing. Truly." He turned and jogged after Dumbledore.

"Thanks Wood," Hermione whispered, as she sealed her letters. After tying them to her owl, Pegasus's foot, she realized she was rather famished and set off to the Great Hall for supper.

As she stepped into the Great Hall, she realized that the entire school had beaten her here there, and everyone was staring as she made her way to the Staff table. A slight blush crept up her neck to her face, as she pulled out her chair and sat down.

"You know, it's rather attractive when you do that..." Wood commented nonchalantly as he filled his plate.

"Oh honestly. When I do what?" Hermione asked crossly, spooning some carrots onto her plate.

"You know, blush and get all embarrassed. Rarr," Oliver jokily made a purring noise.

"Shut it," Hermione said, focusing all of her attention on her dinner.

"So Wood, where is Medora this evening?" McGonagall asked from Hermione's other side.

"In my chambers. Kieran is with her, because she isn't feeling well," Oliver said, "I'm going to go check on her after dinner is finished."

"Well, tell her I said Hello. Also, Ms. Granger here might be able to help you with your dilemma," McGonagall replied.

"Alright then, well Hermione, could you think of any responsible sixth or seventh years that might have some free time in the evenings? I need to find someone to watch Medora so I can monitor Quidditch practices." Oliver said, looking pleadingly at Hermione.

"Who's Medora?" Hermione asked, feeling completely out of the loop.

"My daughter, she's 3," Oliver said.

"Well why can't your wife do it?" Hermione asked, rather coldly. She was still angered by his earlier teasing.

"I wish more than anything in the world that she could, but she's dead," Oliver said, "I'm not too hungry anymore. I'm going to my chambers."

"Oliver, wait, I'm so sorry. I didn't know," Hermione said quietly, but he never even looked back as he stride angrily out of the Great Hall.

You likey? Should I bother to continue?

-Irish84-